After strong performances in the Arkansas Derby and then the Kentucky Derby, Baffert doesn’t expect Bodemeister to “bounce” or regress in the Preakness. The decision to bring him back for this race was made soon after the last one; Bodemeister never lost weight or experienced any issues.

“He never took a step backwards,” Baffert said. “He filled out nice and his hair looks good. He looks good.”

Despite being passed down the stretch by I’ll Have Another, Baffert never thought he had the Derby won.

“You’re disappointed that you didn’t win the race, but I was really proud of the horse,” he said. “When you lose by a length and a half, a couple more jumps, you’re going to run third or something. It’s one of those things where he ran as good as a horse can run.”

It’s likely that if Bodemeister runs that kind of race again, Baffert will have his sixth Preakness victory.